5 Things To Know Before Seeing Wicked On Broadway + Show Review (From Someone Who Has Seen The Show 22 Times)

Have you been dreaming of seeing Wicked on Broadway for 14 years now? Wicked tells the epic story behind “The Wizard Of Oz” and has mesmerized audiences around the world for over a decade. Wicked is Victoria’s all-time favorite musical and she has seen the show a whopping twenty-two times. Terrence has seen Wicked on Broadway twice so you are in for a real treat 😉

Wicked on Broadway tells the story of Elphaba, the hated Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the lovely good witch from The Wizard of Oz. Wicked offers a new and somewhat surprising take on a well-loved story and is appropriate for all ages. The underlying themes [staying true to oneself, doing what’s right even if it is difficult etc.] are woven throughout the story and are more relevant than ever in today’s social environment. The music is inspirational and the message powerful. It is impossible to watch Wicked on Broadway without becoming emotionally attached to at least one of the characters.

The sets and costumes that make Wicked on Broadway what it is are reminiscent of the Edwardian Era and although minimal, do a wonderful job of transporting viewers back to the Land Of Oz. The lighting and stage design do their part to emphasize the emotions of each moment during the show.

When we arrived at the Gershwin Theatre, we were greeted with a long line of people waiting to see Wicked On Broadway. It is theatre policy that all bags be checked before entry into the show so if you are seeing the show on a weekend, be prepared to wait in line for at least 15 minutes. If you arrive later, the line will be shorter but you will have less time inside the theatre.

Once inside, we were greeted by a store selling Wicked The Musical merchandise and ushers taking our tickets. We were directed up the dual escalators to the upper floor of the Gershwin Theatre lobby. The doors opened 30 minutes prior to show time so we enjoyed browsing the Wicked The Musical boutique and took this as a chance to use the restroom. Once inside, we were handed Playbills and directed to our seats.

As the curtain rose and the Time Dragon Clock moved in time with the music, we were mesmerized once again by a show we had seen so many times. Elphaba was played by Jennifer DiNoia and her powerful voice was the perfect fit. Kara Lindsay’s hilarious and heartwarming take on Glinda was not lost on these avid fans. And finally, after 22 times of seeing Wicked the Musical, Victoria was confident that Sheryl Lee Ralph played the best Madame Morrible she had ever seen. There was not one mistake and the music, cast, set, lighting, and singing was breathtaking yet again reinforcing our love for Wicked. Check out the current broadway cast here!

5 Things To Know Before Seeing Wicked On Broadway:

#1: Arrive early and play the Wicked Lottery for your chance at affordable last minute seats

The Wicked Lottery is how Victoria was able to see Wicked the Musical so many times and how we both saw Wicked On Broadway for Terrence’s first time! Here it a little explanation from Wicked On Broadway’s website: A day-of-performance lottery for 26 select orchestra seats for $30.00 each will be held daily. Each day, 2 ½ hours prior to show time, people who present themselves at the Gershwin Theatre box office will have their names placed in a hat. 30 minutes later, names will be drawn for 26 orchestra seats at $30.00 each. If you are really pulling to see Wicked The Musical, we suggest getting tickets in advance because the lottery is by chance. If you happen to be in New York City and want to give it a gamble, then the lottery is perfect for you!

#2: Do not be late or else you will miss the first 10-15 minutes of each act

The first 15 minutes of the first act are extremely important. If you arrive at the show late, you will be held by the ushers for 10-15 minutes before you will be allowed to enter. Make sure you arrive early, go to the restroom in a timely manner, and are back in your seat so you don’t miss one second of Wicked on Broadway.

#3: Stay afterward and meet the cast outside

After the show, head to the stage door for a chance at meeting the cast of Wicked on Broadway. Ask an usher to point you in the right direction and get ready to wait about 20 minutes for the cast to appear. Cast members are usually armed with a sharpie, but bring a pen so you can be prepared. Ask them nicely to sign your Wicked Playbill and boom…you have a wonderful keepsake from your time seeing Wicked on Broadway.

#4: Understand that the show runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission

Yes, Wicked on Broadway is a little bit of a longer show. This is fantastic because it allows you more time to be absorbed into the story and to connect with the characters. That being said, if you expect to be in and out in time for dinner, you are wrong. It is best to plan on eating dinner in Manhattan about 2 hours before the show, or purchase a snack at the theatre and go out to dinner after. Either way, we don’t want you to have low blood sugar and have to leave mid-show to find something to eat!

#5: Do your research and you will enjoy the show a whole lot more

Doing your research means listening to the original Wicked The Musical cast recording and watching the Wizard Of Oz. By familiarizing yourself with the music, you will already have a connection with the show before you even arrive. Watching the Wizard Of Oz will refresh your memory so you “get” all the references thrown in when seeing Wicked on Broadway.

Have you seen Wicked on Broadway or on tour? We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments! 

We were provided with 2 tickets to Wicked On Broadway for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own and we obviously love it if Victoria has seen the show 22 times!